Key points from article :
Telomeres contain genetic information to produce two small proteins, one of which they found is elevated in some human cancer cells.
"Based on our research, we think simple blood tests for these proteins could provide a valuable screen for certain cancers and other human diseases," said Jack Griffith, researcher.
"These tests also could provide a measure of 'telomere health,' because we know telomeres shorten with age." He added.
"As we age, the amount of VR(valine-arginine) and GL(glycine-leucine) in our blood will steadily rise, providing a new biomarker for biological age," said Taghreed Al-Turki, co-author.
The biggest priority now is developing a simple blood test for these proteins.
This could inform us of our biological age and also provide warnings of issues, such as cancer or inflammation.
Reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and the study was carried out at UNC School of Medicine.
